Overview
Health in South Africa is best understood within a historical context of health inequalities and a quadruple disease burden. With a small, unaffordable, but highly skilled private healthcare sector and a large public healthcare system that functions according to a primary healthcare philosophy, we need to strengthen health promotion for citizens to have more control over their own health. Health promotion is a dynamic process to enable people to have more control over and improve their health. This implies focusing on individual behaviour, health promotion action areas, and the social determinants of health.
At the Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (AUTHeR), we support a community-based participatory approach to health promotion, being in communities and adhering to sustainable community development principles. We acknowledge that changing human behaviour is complex, but it is also the tipping point towards preventative care.
World Health Calendar
Health calendars are vital in raising awareness, promoting education, and mobilising action on important health issues. By designating specific dates or periods for focused attention, health calendars contribute to improved public health outcomes, enhanced disease prevention efforts, and greater community engagement in health promotion.
By highlighting events such as World AIDS Day, World Cancer Day, or World Mental Health Day, these calendars create opportunities for individuals, communities, organisations, and governments to engage in activities to raise awareness, disseminate information, and promote healthy behaviours.
Health Promotion Initiatives
AUTHeR is proud to be the driving force of the following health promotion initiatives.
In addition to being the driver of several health promotion initiatives, AUTHeR is also proud to collaborate with the following health promotion initiatives.
Public Health Association of South Africa (PHASA)
The Public Health Association of South Africa (PHASA) is a professional organisation that promotes public health in South Africa. PHASA is a membership-based organisation that brings together individuals and organisations working in the field of public health to collaborate, advocate for health issues, and contribute to policy development and implementation.
PHASA Conference 2023: Transforming Research Translation - Reimagining Public Health Evidence, Policies, and Practice
Our team
Prof Petra Bester - Research Director
Prof Lanthé Kruger - Senior Researcher
Prof Lusilda Schutte - Senior Researcher
Dr Christi Niesing - Senior Researcher